49ers GM Baalke remembers those who helped him up ladder

Just ask Mike Daly. He's one of Baalke's closest friends and, along with his family, will be Baalke's guest this weekend at the 47th Super Bowl.

Daly hired Baalke in 1991 as strength coach and defensive line coach when he was the head coach at South Dakota State. Baalke worked under Daly for five years, and eventually found his way to the NFL in 1998. Daly was defensive coordinator at Wisconsin in the late 1980s.

In late September, Derek Daly, Mike's 23-year-old son, underwent open-heart surgery to replace an aortic valve. After the operation, infection spread throughout his body.

Baalke, according to Mike Daly, contacted him to see how Derek was faring. Baalke had developed a great relationship with Derek during his years at South Dakota State.

After learning of Derek's serious post-surgical problems, Baalke went to work. Three days later, Derek received a tape with video messages of encouragement from a host of 49ers, including coach Jim Harbaugh and wide receiver Randy Moss, safety Donte Whitner and linebackers Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith.

"It really lifted his spirits," Daly said last week. "That's the kind of person Trent is."

The Daly clan attended the NFC Championship Game a year ago that the 49ers lost to the Giants. Now the family, including the now recovered Derek, will leave Friday for the Big Easy to be with Baalke and cheer on the Niners.

About Bob McGinn

Bob McGinn is a beat writer and columnist covering the Green Bay Packers. A six-time Wisconsin state sportswriter of the year, he won the Dick McCann Memorial Award in 2011 for long and distinguished reporting on pro football.